Grand Canal

Grand Canal – the first must-see place, which tourists coming to Venice see. This channel, looking like a letter S, passes through the whole city. It takes its place from a train station and ends at a customs house, merging with the San Marco and La Giudecca channels.

Grand Canal is 3800 meters long, 70 meters wide, and 5 meters deep. It functions as the main transport node of the city. It can be compared to a central highway with busy traffic, but instead of vehicles – gondolas and vaporetto (river trams). By the way, travel on the latter kind of transport is cheaper than on gondola. 

Of course, travel is more spectacular during the sunset. You definitely will be inspired by the beauty and romance of the city, drowning in the light of the setting sun.

The channel does not have any quays. Instead of them – the facades of buildings, which are made on piles. Some of them represent the palaces of different architectural styles. For example, Ca’ d’Oro.  is built in the Venetian Gothic style and Palazzo Dario relates to the Renaissance Epoque.

Though the length of Grand Canal is huge, it is traversed by only 4 bridges. So, people can cross it by traghetto if they do not want to walk a lot. But this service is paid.

The longest route on Grand Canal takes about 1 hour. If you choose gondola, it will be led by a gondolier. For extra pay, he will tell you interesting stories about Venice and the channel.